American, British, Libyan talks in London: lifting travel sanctions; limited diplomatic exchange
Libya-USA, Politics, 2/7/2004

The US has vowed for Libya during a meeting in London for American and British officials with a Libyan delegation to lift the sanctions on travel of Americans to Tripoli ( in the near future), while Libya continue to make progress in its obligations on dismantling its mass destruction weapons programs.

The two delegations also discussed the possibility of appointing small number of employees in the two countries' capitals. This was before a historical visit to be carried out by the Libyan (foreign minister) to Britain next Tuesday.

The US embassy in London said that the talks between the American delegation led by the US under secretary of state for the Near East affairs, William Burns, and the Libyans were very "positive and comprehensive." The embassy indicated that Burns praised the Libyans over the "excellent progress" they attained in eliminating their weapons' program.

The embassy added that if Libya continued making progress on dismantling its weapons, the US will end "in the near future " the embargo on travel of Americans to Libya, using their American passports and would permit them to spend money there. This means lifting economic sanctions imposed on Tripoli.

It added that to "support this series of activities and continue the American aid to Libya in eliminating its weapons of mass destruction, the two sides also discussed the possibility of appointing a small number of employees in the two countries capitals due to the fact of not having workable embassies.

The two delegations discussed means where Washington is to help Tripoli to modernize its economy and in most urgent humanitarian needs. The embassy added that Libyan educationalists might visit Libya with the aim to explore the possibility of educational exchange between the two countries.

The statement explained that "as these ( talks) constitute positive developments, the two sides approved that there are still several issues that should be treated, if greater normal relations are to be resumed." The statement added that the US will continue to match these issues on cautious bases of work step-by-step." The two delegations met in bilateral and tripartite meetings with the British delegation. The embassy statement did not indicate to the issue of Washington's considering Tripoli as a terrorist- sponsoring state.

Despite the fact that the UN security council in September 2003 lifted the sanctions it has imposed on Libya, however, the American sanctions are still imposed on Tripoli. They include travel embargo and having no diplomatic representation in Libya, though relations are not officially severed.

Parallel to the American, British and Libyan dialogue in London, the British prime minister, Tony Blair, and his foreign office secretary, Jack Straw, are due to meet with the Libyan (foreign minister) Muhammad Abdul Rahman Shalqam next Tuesday in the first visit to Britain to be carried out by a Libyan foreign minister since 1969.

Previous Stories:
  Shalqam visits London on Monday, al-Tureiki attends a celebration in Washington   (2/6/2004)
  Washington, Tripoli will discuss normalization of relations   (2/4/2004)
  Washington transports nuclear related items and documents from Libya   (1/28/2004)

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